Planning a Trip ... Need a Stroller ...

[justhat]

Yes, get an infant seat, but I mean later on, when you need a convertible seat, get a Britax seat. Sorry about the confusion!! Okay, -3 months, I was thinking real 3 months. My daughter was due in March-great time for a baby! (I say due cause she was actually born 2/26.) Aside from nice to take them in/out of the car in the beginning, the infant seat is invaluable when you go out to dinner or something so you're not stuck holding your baby or squeezing the stroller into the restaurant.

Anyway, I think it's good to test them with some similar weight, or even just holding a bunch of crap in one hand and trying to manuever/fold/open stroller with other. Ideally, yes, your baby will be out of our arms when doing those things, but realistically that will not always be the case so it's good to take all of that into account.

About the infant seats, if you do get the Pliko P3, Peg Perego makes a good infant seat that is compatible, so then you would still get the 'travel system' feature, but would still have an ideal stroller. And yes, you will see a lot of Gracos for a few reasons. First of all there are tons of them in many prints, sizes, models, etc. so something to please everyone's tastes as well as budgets. Also, their carseats are safe, not the safest out there, but "safe enough" if that's a term. So a lot of people like the carseat and then figure they might as well get the whole travel system. Also, travel systems on the whole are hugely popular with first time parents and Graco makes a ton of them so they're probably the most commonly bought. We own 2 Gracos and I like them, but they're not really ideal strollers aside from just walking around the neighborhood.

 

[bellarella]

Like strollers, I don't believe that car seats are "one size fits all." I know that Britax and others are supposedly able to be used from birth, but for both convenience and safety, I think it is better to start out with an infant seat and then move them to a convertible seat between 6 and 12 mos old. The convertible seats are really geared more towards bigger babies. The bottom slot for straps is not as low as you have on an infant only seat and they are much more difficult to position and maintain at 45 degree angle when rear facing --- this is what the article you were talking about addresses - that infants who are kept in the infant car seat around the house, etc, are not generally kept at the proper angle (because of the weighting of the car seat, when it is not in it's base the natural position of the seat keeps the baby more upright unless you put a prop under one end. For some infants this compromises their breathing. With the infant seats you have more adjustment options on the small end of the scale so it is easier to get a proper fit. The seat itself is also smaller, so there is less potential for side to side movement of the head in an accident. Also, the bases usually have an adjustment mechanism which help get the seat at the right angle in your car (though you may still need to use a towel or pool noodle to get the angle right and the seat it self (in most cases) has a level indicator so you can see if the seat is staying at the right angle.

From a convenience standpoint, lots of babies do not like to be strapped in and out of their car seat. It is a nice feature to be able to leave a sleeping baby sleep and just take the whole car seat out of the car for running errands. My DS was fine once he was in the seat, but would scream bloody murder every time I tried to get him it the seat.

I had all of my children in an infant seat (Graco Snugride most recently) until 6-9 mos (when they started getting too tall for them). Then I moved them to convertible seats (still rear facing) -- Fisher Price Safe Embrace, which I loved, but they don't make anymore, and Britax.

I also didn't realize that you were still pregnant with your first child. I thought you already had one that you needed a stroller for asap. Since you are still pg, my strongest advice is that you do not buy any stroller now. Don't buy any stroller until your DC is nearing the time they will be outgrowing their infant car seat. Get a snap n go (or whatever frame fits the infant car seat you get) and use that for a couple of months. While pregnant you really don't have any idea of how you will "really" use a stroller. The Snap N Go will cover you for those first few months and you will have a chance to see if you really need a big basket. How important one hand fold is, whether you use parent cup holders, etc. Almost every first time mom I know (including me the first go around) made horrible stroller purchases while they were pg. Not that they chose horrible strollers, just that they chose based on what they imagined that they would need while they were pg and then they found by 6 mos old that the stroller they had didn't fit how they actually used it. They give the same advice I do -- get the Snap N Go to start with and then buy your "real" stroller once the baby is a few months old. It's really hard when you are pg to not have everything ready before the baby is born, but the stroller really is one you can live without for quite some time and doing so will probably save you the grief of having spent money on a stroller you used a dozen times and then being faced with "making due" or spending more money on a different model. I know that urge to nest is overpowering -- but if you do get an infant car seat, try to resist the urge to buy a stroller now and just get a stroller frame for that car seat You won't have wasted all this research, and you might end up buying the stroller you thought you would; but if it is different you will have saved a hassle and money (and if it isn't, you may still have saved money because the next year's models will be out and you can buy this year's on clearance!)

Good luck!!!

 

[jdg345]

Yes, get an infant seat, but I mean later on, when you need a convertible seat, get a Britax seat. Sorry about the confusion!! Okay, -3 months, I was thinking real 3 months. My daughter was due in March-great time for a baby! (I say due cause she was actually born 2/26.) Aside from nice to take them in/out of the car in the beginning, the infant seat is invaluable when you go out to dinner or something so you're not stuck holding your baby or squeezing the stroller into the restaurant.

Anyway, I think it's good to test them with some similar weight, or even just holding a bunch of crap in one hand and trying to manuever/fold/open stroller with other. Ideally, yes, your baby will be out of our arms when doing those things, but realistically that will not always be the case so it's good to take all of that into account.

About the infant seats, if you do get the Pliko P3, Peg Perego makes a good infant seat that is compatible, so then you would still get the 'travel system' feature, but would still have an ideal stroller. And yes, you will see a lot of Gracos for a few reasons. First of all there are tons of them in many prints, sizes, models, etc. so something to please everyone's tastes as well as budgets. Also, their carseats are safe, not the safest out there, but "safe enough" if that's a term. So a lot of people like the carseat and then figure they might as well get the whole travel system. Also, travel systems on the whole are hugely popular with first time parents and Graco makes a ton of them so they're probably the most commonly bought. We own 2 Gracos and I like them, but they're not really ideal strollers aside from just walking around the neighborhood.

Thanks again! I saw the Peg Perego SIP ... I liked it a lot ... but the SO is kinda rather 'sold' on the Snugride I think ... From what I understand though, the snugride can fit just fine on the P3 and Zippy. I need to read back through and confirm ... I have notes all over the place.

It's funny that you mentioned the Britax ... it's what I was looking very closely at yesterday at one of the Baby Stores. It seemed to be really comfortable and flexible. The SO prefered one of the Graco's though -- it has an 'easy recline' feature or somesuch. I need to do some more homework on that.

 

[jdg345]

Like strollers, I don't believe that car seats are "one size fits all." I know that Britax and others are supposedly able to be used from birth, but for both convenience and safety, I think it is better to start out with an infant seat and then move them to a convertible seat between 6 and 12 mos old. The convertible seats are really geared more towards bigger babies. The bottom slot for straps is not as low as you have on an infant only seat and they are much more difficult to position and maintain at 45 degree angle when rear facing --- this is what the article you were talking about addresses - that infants who are kept in the infant car seat around the house, etc, are not generally kept at the proper angle (because of the weighting of the car seat, when it is not in it's base the natural position of the seat keeps the baby more upright unless you put a prop under one end. For some infants this compromises their breathing. With the infant seats you have more adjustment options on the small end of the scale so it is easier to get a proper fit. The seat itself is also smaller, so there is less potential for side to side movement of the head in an accident. Also, the bases usually have an adjustment mechanism which help get the seat at the right angle in your car (though you may still need to use a towel or pool noodle to get the angle right and the seat it self (in most cases) has a level indicator so you can see if the seat is staying at the right angle.

From a convenience standpoint, lots of babies do not like to be strapped in and out of their car seat. It is a nice feature to be able to leave a sleeping baby sleep and just take the whole car seat out of the car for running errands. My DS was fine once he was in the seat, but would scream bloody murder every time I tried to get him it the seat.

I had all of my children in an infant seat (Graco Snugride most recently) until 6-9 mos (when they started getting too tall for them). Then I moved them to convertible seats (still rear facing) -- Fisher Price Safe Embrace, which I loved, but they don't make anymore, and Britax.

I also didn't realize that you were still pregnant with your first child. I thought you already had one that you needed a stroller for asap. Since you are still pg, my strongest advice is that you do not buy any stroller now. Don't buy any stroller until your DC is nearing the time they will be outgrowing their infant car seat. Get a snap n go (or whatever frame fits the infant car seat you get) and use that for a couple of months. While pregnant you really don't have any idea of how you will "really" use a stroller. The Snap N Go will cover you for those first few months and you will have a chance to see if you really need a big basket. How important one hand fold is, whether you use parent cup holders, etc. Almost every first time mom I know (including me the first go around) made horrible stroller purchases while they were pg. Not that they chose horrible strollers, just that they chose based on what they imagined that they would need while they were pg and then they found by 6 mos old that the stroller they had didn't fit how they actually used it. They give the same advice I do -- get the Snap N Go to start with and then buy your "real" stroller once the baby is a few months old. It's really hard when you are pg to not have everything ready before the baby is born, but the stroller really is one you can live without for quite some time and doing so will probably save you the grief of having spent money on a stroller you used a dozen times and then being faced with "making due" or spending more money on a different model. I know that urge to nest is overpowering -- but if you do get an infant car seat, try to resist the urge to buy a stroller now and just get a stroller frame for that car seat You won't have wasted all this research, and you might end up buying the stroller you thought you would; but if it is different you will have saved a hassle and money (and if it isn't, you may still have saved money because the next year's models will be out and you can buy this year's on clearance!)

Good luck!!!

Thank you thank you! I saw the Snap and Go and the Maclaren model of the Snap and Go as well ... it's an awesome consideration ... I'll run it by the SO and see how far down the line it goes.

Thank you again!

 

[justhat]

Thanks again! I saw the Peg Perego SIP ... I liked it a lot ... but the SO is kinda rather 'sold' on the Snugride I think ... From what I understand though, the snugride can fit just fine on the P3 and Zippy. I need to read back through and confirm ... I have notes all over the place.

It's funny that you mentioned the Britax ... it's what I was looking very closely at yesterday at one of the Baby Stores. It seemed to be really comfortable and flexible. The SO prefered one of the Graco's though -- it has an 'easy recline' feature or somesuch. I need to do some more homework on that.

The Britax seats are the safest so I'd go with that over the Graco, despite the 'easy recline'. The Britax seats recline very easily so you won't have a need for any "easy recline' feature, believe me. Also, the Britax seats are super easy to install correctly, which is a huge plus cause many seats are not installed correctly.

As far as infant seats go, I think Peg Perego's are rated better than Graco's (not positive cause I own a Graco which I bought 3 years ago for my daughter). That's what I overheard a guy telling someone in the store the other day anyway. Britax also makes infant seats which I'm sure are very safe too-I know they have the anti-rebound bar which I think is a great feature.

 

[Fabooliss]

I have a 5 year old and a 2 year old. We have a one hand fold Graco travel system... which I detest and a $5 umbrella stroller that I bought at a garage sale for $1. We took the umbrella stroller to England three years ago when DD was 2, no problems, but are looking for something better for our trip to the World in February the umbrella stroller has finally just had it.

Here's my 2cents...
- People buy Gracos because they are everywhere and they are CHEAP compared to the better strollers (that's why we did).
- My Graco squeaks, the parent snack tray has snapped off and the wheel is dented, it also doesn't fold easily anymore

If I had to do it over again, I would spend the 'big bucks' and buy a MacLaren or Peg Perego stroller. If I were you specifically, I would buy an infant car seat and a snap and go and buy bigger stroller when the baby is around 6 months when you can try it out.

From our stroller try outs with an almost 2 1/2 year old: the Combi is too small, he barely fits even now.

About the snack tray: I got a GREAT tip from a friend that only had a jogging stroller with no snack tray. Give the toddler a sippy cup, the kind with two handles with the snack in it. They eat just as much/little as they would if it was on a snack tray and it is one less weight on the stroller.

About car seats: the infant carriers are WONDERFUL for the first few months
When you get the next one, get one that will rear face and forward face and make sure it will rear face to at least 30lb. My DD was 20lb at 6 months and they are supposed to rear face until they are a year old!

 

[jdg345]

The Britax seats are the safest so I'd go with that over the Graco, despite the 'easy recline'. The Britax seats recline very easily so you won't have a need for any "easy recline' feature, believe me. Also, the Britax seats are super easy to install correctly, which is a huge plus cause many seats are not installed correctly.

As far as infant seats go, I think Peg Perego's are rated better than Graco's (not positive cause I own a Graco which I bought 3 years ago for my daughter). That's what I overheard a guy telling someone in the store the other day anyway. Britax also makes infant seats which I'm sure are very safe too-I know they have the anti-rebound bar which I think is a great feature.

Thanks again! What does the anti-rebound bar do?

 

[jdg345]

I have a 5 year old and a 2 year old. We have a one hand fold Graco travel system... which I detest and a $5 umbrella stroller that I bought at a garage sale for $1. We took the umbrella stroller to England three years ago when DD was 2, no problems, but are looking for something better for our trip to the World in February the umbrella stroller has finally just had it.

Here's my 2cents...
- People buy Gracos because they are everywhere and they are CHEAP compared to the better strollers (that's why we did).
- My Graco squeaks, the parent snack tray has snapped off and the wheel is dented, it also doesn't fold easily anymore

If I had to do it over again, I would spend the 'big bucks' and buy a MacLaren or Peg Perego stroller. If I were you specifically, I would buy an infant car seat and a snap and go and buy bigger stroller when the baby is around 6 months when you can try it out.

From our stroller try outs with an almost 2 1/2 year old: the Combi is too small, he barely fits even now.

About the snack tray: I got a GREAT tip from a friend that only had a jogging stroller with no snack tray. Give the toddler a sippy cup, the kind with two handles with the snack in it. They eat just as much/little as they would if it was on a snack tray and it is one less weight on the stroller.

About car seats: the infant carriers are WONDERFUL for the first few months
When you get the next one, get one that will rear face and forward face and make sure it will rear face to at least 30lb. My DD was 20lb at 6 months and they are supposed to rear face until they are a year old!

Thank you so very much! I really appreciate the advise. Snap-N-Go seems to be it, but Maclaren and Graco make similar units. We hope to take a closer look at them this week -- I imagine they're all pretty close with one maybe a little sturdier, etc. We are looking at (3): The Graco/Snugride one, the Maclaren, and the actual 'Snap-N-Go'. The Graco and Snap-N-Go are around $50. The Maclaren is like $90 -- I'm guessing because it says 'Maclaren'. :lol:

 

[tanyaandallie]

Oh jeez, I thought your baby was 3 mos, not -3mos! So you really are a newbie to all this crazy baby stuff.

I love my Britax Marathon's. Both of my kids are in them. They are excellent seats and will hold your little one up to 65 lbs. Will likely last your little one until 6 years old. My dd is 3 and only 30ish lbs.

While I love my marathon, I'd not use it with a newborn. I know there are those at there that do and that is great for them. I personally like the infant seat for infants. I moved my kids out of them around 6 mos old. I was not a huge fan of lugging around the car seat and am not a fan of babies spending their entire existence in the car seat while they are infants. However, they are great when you have a sleeping baby and can just take them into the house without waking them. They are also great b/c you can put a blanket over them and keep strangers from breathing on little ones. I am a huge fan of slings, though, and usually took my ds out of the infant carrier and put him in the sling when we shopped, etc.

We use the Graco Snugride. Really loved them both for both kids. I have looked at the Safe Seat. My only issue with it is that it is more expensive. The weight limit is higher but does a 30 lb child really need to be in an infant carrier? I don't think so. By that time they are ready to be in a convertible seat. I think it keeps kids in laying down and stuck in that car seat for a lot longer than they need to be.

 

[jdg345]

Oh jeez, I thought your baby was 3 mos, not -3mos! So you really are a newbie to all this crazy baby stuff.

I love my Britax Marathon's. Both of my kids are in them. They are excellent seats and will hold your little one up to 65 lbs. Will likely last your little one until 6 years old. My dd is 3 and only 30ish lbs.

While I love my marathon, I'd not use it with a newborn. I know there are those at there that do and that is great for them. I personally like the infant seat for infants. I moved my kids out of them around 6 mos old. I was not a huge fan of lugging around the car seat and am not a fan of babies spending their entire existence in the car seat while they are infants. However, they are great when you have a sleeping baby and can just take them into the house without waking them. They are also great b/c you can put a blanket over them and keep strangers from breathing on little ones. I am a huge fan of slings, though, and usually took my ds out of the infant carrier and put him in the sling when we shopped, etc.

We use the Graco Snugride. Really loved them both for both kids. I have looked at the Safe Seat. My only issue with it is that it is more expensive. The weight limit is higher but does a 30 lb child really need to be in an infant carrier? I don't think so. By that time they are ready to be in a convertible seat. I think it keeps kids in laying down and stuck in that car seat for a lot longer than they need to be.

Yup! I'm very new ... sorry for all the silly questions ... we just figured better to do our research early so we can be a little more prepared when the time comes.

Thank you for your comments! I really appreciate your help!

 

[mom2aredhead]

Not sure if I need the flame suit for this one, but I just don't get the appeal of the Mac strollers.

Keep in mind, these are my opinions for everyday life, not necessarily a week long vacation.

I have a 3 year old DS who is now 37 lbs and 39 inches. We have been using the same Graco Quattro Tour Stroller that came as a travel system since his birth. No squeaking, rattline, nothing broke, washed the seat cover more times than I can count without issue. It is a 1 hand (no foot) fold, reclines, has a HUGE basket underneath, cupholders for both of us, a snack tray for him, and a bonus little compartment thingy that holds keys, glasses, etc. Plus the seat is LARGE and apparently COMFORTABLE since we've spent lots of time in it without issue.

Sorry, but I don't see very many comfy looking kids sitting in Mac's. To me, they all look hunched over, knees in their chests, wanting my son's goldfish in his snack tray. (OK, I'm joking about that part) - but seriously, and this is just my opinion, they are much more convenient when you are NOT using them (folds small and is lightweight) than when you actually need to put the kid in it, along with shopping bags at the mall, your coat you wish you left in the car, the toy he absolutely had to bring with him (that you agreed to so you would have a little peace while Christmas shopping), the diaper bag hanging over the handle, your husband's wallet, a Starbucks for yourself, and snack and juice for him.

Yup, it's heavy. And for the 25 seconds it takes me to lift it into the back of my car, that's inconvenient. We didn't bring it to Disney for that reason. (I bought a smaller Graco and we were fine) But for everyday life, I'd take my Graco over a Mac hands down.

 

[jdg345]

Not sure if I need the flame suit for this one, but I just don't get the appeal of the Mac strollers.

Keep in mind, these are my opinions for everyday life, not necessarily a week long vacation.

I have a 3 year old DS who is now 37 lbs and 39 inches. We have been using the same Graco Quattro Tour Stroller that came as a travel system since his birth. No squeaking, rattline, nothing broke, washed the seat cover more times than I can count without issue. It is a 1 hand (no foot) fold, reclines, has a HUGE basket underneath, cupholders for both of us, a snack tray for him, and a bonus little compartment thingy that holds keys, glasses, etc. Plus the seat is LARGE and apparently COMFORTABLE since we've spent lots of time in it without issue.

Sorry, but I don't see very many comfy looking kids sitting in Mac's. To me, they all look hunched over, knees in their chests, wanting my son's goldfish in his snack tray. (OK, I'm joking about that part) - but seriously, and this is just my opinion, they are much more convenient when you are NOT using them (folds small and is lightweight) than when you actually need to put the kid in it, along with shopping bags at the mall, your coat you wish you left in the car, the toy he absolutely had to bring with him (that you agreed to so you would have a little peace while Christmas shopping), the diaper bag hanging over the handle, your husband's wallet, a Starbucks for yourself, and snack and juice for him.

Yup, it's heavy. And for the 25 seconds it takes me to lift it into the back of my car, that's inconvenient. We didn't bring it to Disney for that reason. (I bought a smaller Graco and we were fine) But for everyday life, I'd take my Graco over a Mac hands down.

Good points, thank you ... I guess this goes back to the point where it's very difficult to get one stroller that fits every situation. We plan to Travel to the World pretty often, so we wanted something we could travel with. At home, there really isn't that much walking around from place to place -- everything is a drive away. So, aside from Casual [un-conjested] walks around the block, I don't see where we would use the stroller that much at home. I see us using it for:

-Doctors Visits: But, this would probably be the Snugride w/ Snap-N-Go (or similar)
-Trips to the Mall (we go to the mall like ... 3 times a year ... if that ...)
-Trips to the Grocery Store (though, likely, Snugride in the Cart-Child-Seat)
-Trips to see Family and Friends (but, hey, we have the new baby, people should be coming to see us ... right?)
-Running 'quick' errands ... not there is a such thing as 'quick' when you're preparing an infant to go for a ride somewhere.

I understand that the weight issue is probably only a concern when moving the strollers in and out of the car, but even that could be a problem for the SO due to back problems, etc. (20-25 lb weight limit).

We're leaning towards the P3, the Zippy, and want to take a close look at the Maclaren Techno's (Classic/XT). The P3 looks the most 'comfy' and 'snug' (compared to the Zippy) ... and that's mostly due to the fact that the leg rest tilts upwards at its highest point. The snack tray/bumper bar also help with the 'snug' look as it provides closure.

Based on all the helpful advice in this thread, my current plan is:

-Snugride and Snap-N-Go (or similar)
-P3, Zippy, Techno Classic/XT (sometime after the baby is born) -- but SO doesn't like this idea ... wants to have the Stroller before the baby arrives. Either way, it would likely be next year's models.
-Graco Safe Seat or Britax Marathon. SO likes the Graco ... I was immediately drawn to the Britax Marathons and spent a lot of time with them over the weekend (which is ironic considering that was before they were really brought up in force on this thread) ... we'll see how much convincing I can do ... though I still have plenty of research to do, etc.

Again, thanks to everyone for their comments and suggestions, I really appreciate it! Please feel free to continue to chime in.

 

[justhat]

Thanks again! What does the anti-rebound bar do?

Infant seats are designed to "flip backward" towards the seatback of the car in a crash. Sorta how you would be thrown forward then snapped back, well the baby's head will "ramp up" towards the top of the carseat when you're getting thrown forward, then when you get snapped back the whole infant carseat will raise off of the seat and move towards the back of the car. The Britax infant seats have anti-rebound bars on the bases so that they don't flip towards the seatback in a crash. Here's a link that shows you what it looks like so you can piece together what I'm saying. http://www.britaxusa.net/products/360_companion.aspx

For convertible seats, I know he likes the Graco but if you can do it, the Britax is really the best seat out there. The Graco is sort of an imposter, and I'm sure it's fine, but you will not be disappointed with a Britax ever. And if you get in an accident they'll replace your seat for free!

And tell your SO that you will have a stroller before the baby arrives, the snap and go. If you do get the P3 (or I guess the Zippy) before the baby is born, then you wouldn't really need the Snap and Go, so I guess that's something to think about too. About stroller weight, yes, it is most important when talking about lifting it, but also pushing it. My Graco Coachrider pushes like an army tank cause it weighs 40 pounds without any kids in it. Our old Mac was super light empty so pushing it with a heavy kid didn't make it so bad. So even when you're not heaving it in/out of your car the weight of the stroller does make a difference in your comfort.

And if it helps at all, here are some photos of my daughter in her stroller.

Sleeping in our Maclaren Techno Classic at 19 months.

Sitting up at 18 months in Mac

13 months in Mac

I was hoping I had some of her younger, but not on this computer apparently. Anyway, she's a skinny kid, so at these ages she was 19-21 pounds, but tall, around 30-33 inches (these vary by age in photo). I thought maybe this would help you with the Mac in terms of comfort.

This is my son at 2 months in the Chicco C5 though, which is essentially the same as the Mac, only less comfy I think.

Actually sitting properly in the C5 at 3 months.

I hope that helps you see how kids fit in Macs (or Mac style strollers) since you don't have your own baby to test out yet.

 

[justhat]

Oh yeah, my other thing to mention was that while I use a stroller for a baby under 6 months, they seem to prefer being held so I generally wear them in a Bjorn or sling. So that's the other reason that I wouldn't worry about getting a stroller prior to the birth cause it's not so essential in the beginning.

 

[poohfriend]

Oh yeah, my other thing to mention was that while I use a stroller for a baby under 6 months only, they seem to prefer being held so I generally wear them in a Bjorn or sling. So that's the other reason that I wouldn't worry about getting a stroller prior to the birth cause it's not so essential in the beginning.

well said!

 

[jdg345]

Sorry for my absence! We were at The World for a week or so and are just trying to get caught up after the holidays!

I do have some additional questions and I hope someone can help.

(1) On the Snap-N-Go, Graco makes one specifically for the SnugRide ... I was thinking Snap-N-Go was more versatile. For those that have it, does the SnugRide attach to it easily? Or do you have to use some sort of special universal strapping bar mechanism thing that is cumbersome?

(2) I looked at the Bjorn's and the Premaxx slings. The Premaxx seems to have a mode where it's a ... well ... sling ... the baby lays in it across your body. With the Bjorn's, it seems the baby has to be in a "standing up" position, either facing you, or away from you. Is that correct?

As always, any comments/suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Happy New Year Everyone!

 

[KristinU]

Just adding my .02 late...

We loved slinging/babywearing and really never used a stroller for around-the-town errands until DS was well over a year (when he started falling asleep in the car and staying asleep to transfer to a stroller - still does at almost 3!)

We had a P3 that we loved for a long time - just an awesome all-around stroller for us for both travel and around the town.

We've also had a Mac Triumph since the beginning and did take it to WDW with us when DS wasabout 9 months. In hindsight I wish we would have had the P3 then, just all-around more comfy. But before our most recent trip we asked DS which he wanted to take and he picked the Mac. I think that while he liked being enclosed with the tray for a long time at around 2.5 he decided he liked to be 'out there'. Oh and there is a Baby Trend tray that fits a lot of Macs, I bought a Baby Trend used just for the tray for our last trip and didn't use it a single time (I probably woul have used it that first time with the Mac...oh well).

Before coughing it up for a P3 we had a Safety 1st Alumilite that we went to the World once with (and once to visit G'ma and G'pa) It was OK. I loved the weight and the book fold (ad the price!) but the sunshade was horrible and we wore the tread down on the foam wheels in a week of walking around at WDW.

We're also a Britax loving family. Just so very comfy and very easy to get a good solid install in a variety of cars.

 

[justhat]

(2) I looked at the Bjorn's and the Premaxx slings. The Premaxx seems to have a mode where it's a ... well ... sling ... the baby lays in it across your body. With the Bjorn's, it seems the baby has to be in a "standing up" position, either facing you, or away from you. Is that correct?

As always, any comments/suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Happy New Year Everyone!

We were in WDW too-the week before Christmas.

Anyway, I can't answer your first question cause I didn't have one, but the 2nd one, yes, you're right, the Bjorn the kid has to be upright. This is really something that I think varies by baby, which position that is. My daughter LOVED the Baby Bjorn (I have the Active Carrier with the lumbar support). She literally stayed in it hours a day, napped in it, etc. In WDW at 2 and 3 months she was in it the entire trips, barely in the stroller at all.

My son, however, wasn't a super fan of the Bjorn. I'm not sure why cause he loves to be held upright, but just wasn't happy in the Bjorn like my daughter was. He does like the sling though (we have a New Native and Urban Pouch). He mostly sits cross-legged facing outward, but when he's sleepy I can turn him so he's semi-reclined (doesn't go for the full recline much anymore). Now that he's older we'll probably use the Bjorn a bit more cause it's getting increasingly difficult to hold him in that cross-legged position as he's now over 27 inches and 17.5 lbs.

I've also used the sling to do hip carries with both kids (though it's still tough with my son since he doesn't sit alone yet) which Bjorns can't do. Oh, and you can nurse in a sling without removing the baby, which is nice.

 

[jdg345]

We were in WDW too-the week before Christmas.

Anyway, I can't answer your first question cause I didn't have one, but the 2nd one, yes, you're right, the Bjorn the kid has to be upright. This is really something that I think varies by baby, which position that is. My daughter LOVED the Baby Bjorn (I have the Active Carrier with the lumbar support). She literally stayed in it hours a day, napped in it, etc. In WDW at 2 and 3 months she was in it the entire trips, barely in the stroller at all.

My son, however, wasn't a super fan of the Bjorn. I'm not sure why cause he loves to be held upright, but just wasn't happy in the Bjorn like my daughter was. He does like the sling though (we have a New Native and Urban Pouch). He mostly sits cross-legged facing outward, but when he's sleepy I can turn him so he's semi-reclined (doesn't go for the full recline much anymore). Now that he's older we'll probably use the Bjorn a bit more cause it's getting increasingly difficult to hold him in that cross-legged position as he's now over 27 inches and 17.5 lbs.

I've also used the sling to do hip carries with both kids (though it's still tough with my son since he doesn't sit alone yet) which Bjorns can't do. Oh, and you can nurse in a sling without removing the baby, which is nice.

Thanks for the comments! Is 'New Native and Urban Pouch' a single product or two? How does it compare to the Premaxx @ Babies R Us? I think the Premaxx is convertible after a certain weight you can shift it to upright -- which to me, makes it more versatile than the Baby Bjorns ... but ... I want something that will be safe for the baby as well.

Also, if anyone came up to you and asked about your stroller/sling, that was probably me. *lol*

 

[jdg345]

Just adding my .02 late...

We loved slinging/babywearing and really never used a stroller for around-the-town errands until DS was well over a year (when he started falling asleep in the car and staying asleep to transfer to a stroller - still does at almost 3!)

We had a P3 that we loved for a long time - just an awesome all-around stroller for us for both travel and around the town.

We've also had a Mac Triumph since the beginning and did take it to WDW with us when DS wasabout 9 months. In hindsight I wish we would have had the P3 then, just all-around more comfy. But before our most recent trip we asked DS which he wanted to take and he picked the Mac. I think that while he liked being enclosed with the tray for a long time at around 2.5 he decided he liked to be 'out there'. Oh and there is a Baby Trend tray that fits a lot of Macs, I bought a Baby Trend used just for the tray for our last trip and didn't use it a single time (I probably woul have used it that first time with the Mac...oh well).

Before coughing it up for a P3 we had a Safety 1st Alumilite that we went to the World once with (and once to visit G'ma and G'pa) It was OK. I loved the weight and the book fold (ad the price!) but the sunshade was horrible and we wore the tread down on the foam wheels in a week of walking around at WDW.

We're also a Britax loving family. Just so very comfy and very easy to get a good solid install in a variety of cars.

Thanks! Did you like the Marathon Britax? Or a different line?